[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate) › [Tārīkh-i Dāʾūdī](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi) › [Tarikh-i Daudi of 'Abdu-lla (extracts)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot) › 7 # Tarikh-i Daʾudi 7: An account of certain of Sikandar's chief nobles. Táríkh-i Dáúdí of 'Abdu-lla (extracts) 7 - **Language:** English ### An account of certain of Sikandar's chief nobles. ### [7.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.7.1) There were many of the chiefs of Sultan Sikandar whose history is worthy of being written, such as Asad Khan, the son of Mubarak Khan Yusuf-khail, who was endowed with the most exalted notions of generosity. Whenever the cloth was spread before him at meal-times he first filled large china plates with food, on which he placed great quantities of bread and pickles of every description, and on them a betel leaf, and on that a gold mohur, all of which he gave to beggars, and then began to eat himself. He addressed every one as a noble, even if he happened to be a servant of his own; if he chanced to be a stranger, he presented him with a lac of tankas. One day a person related to the Khan that Shaikh Muhammad Farmuli, the vakil, from the badness of the times, had been unable to marry his daughter. Asad Khan sent for him into his presence, and ordered a young slave to fill both his hands with gold pieces, and cast them into the Shaikh's skirt. The slave did as the Khan commanded, and then took him to the diwan, to see how much money he had received. After counting it, they found it amounted to 70,000 tankas. This was related to Asad Khan, and he commanded the same slave to give him as many more gold pieces as were required to make up the sum to 100,000 tankas. ### [7.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.7.2) One day, whilst the Khan was hunting, a person brought curdled milk to him, prepared after the fashion of the villagers. Asad Khan ordered the dish in which he had brought it to be filled with gold pieces. One day a woman, a dweller of Chanderi, brought some nim leaves on a plate to Asad Khan, who saw that they were very green and fresh, and said to the woman, "What is the good of bringing nim leaves?" She replied, "I have cooked them as vegetables in such a manner that while they have not changed their appearance, they have all the flavour the best garden products can boast of." Asad Khan directed one of his companions to taste a small quantity, who perceived it was so tasty and well-cooked that it no longer retained the least flavour of nim leaves. Her plate was likewise filled with gold pieces, and returned to her. ### [7.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.7.3) One day, some horses were being shown to Asad Khan. Sadr Khan Sarsi, who was one of the chief nobles and his intimate friend, was seated. When the first horse was shown to the Khan, he asked Sadr Khán what sort of an animal it was. Sadr Khán expatiated upon the excellences of the horse, and praised it exceedingly. Asad Khán said, "Give this horse in charge to Sadr Khán's men." A second horse came, and he again asked Sadr Khán what he thought of it. Sadr Khan again spoke well of the horse. Asad Khán said, "Give this horse also to Sadr Khán's people." He gave no less than eight horses to Sadr Khán in this way. When the ninth arrived, he again said to Sadr Khán, "What kind of a horse is this?" Sadr Khan remained silent. On Asad Khan's inquiring the reason, Sadr Khán replied, "Your generosity has exceeded all bounds." Asad Khan smiled, and asked the man who was the stable-accountant, "How many horses had that day been brought for inspection?" He answered, "One hundred and eight are present." The Khan said to Sadr Khán, "Has taking one horse at a time distressed you? Lo! I have given all the horses brought for me to look at to Sadr Khán." In this manner he actually presented 108 horses on one day to the same individual. ### [7.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.7.4) One day, three jewels had been brought for him to look at. The price of one was 700,000 tankas, the second 600,000, the third 300,000. Asad Khán said to one of his associates, who happened to be present at the time, "Tell me truly which of these three precious stones have you selected as that which you expect to receive from me?" He answered, "In truth, I never thought of such a thing." The Khán said, "Make up your mind then on the subject now." He said, "The jewel which is worth 300,000." Asad Khan smiled, and said, "You pass over the stones of great value, and choose the smallest. You have preferred the least expensive one, and I have chosen the most valuable one. The third alone remains. I give all these to you." ### [7.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.7.5) Once on a time Sultán Sikandar appointed Asad Khán for the performance of a particular service, and he proceeded by uninterrupted marches into the district of Chanderí. The backs of all the baggage-animals carrying the treasure were galled. The chiefs informed him of this, saying, "If you give the order, we will distribute the treasure amongst the troops, and afterwards deduct it from their jágírs, and make it over to the government." He approved of this proposal, and seven lacs of tankas were thus distributed, and their receipts shown to the Khán. Asad Khán said, "Have I become a sarráf, that I should lend and then take back?" He tore up the documents with his own hands, and said, "I have given this trifle to the army." May the Most High God shield and cover him with his mercy! Another of the nobles of Sikandar was the Khán-i 'azam Lád Khán, the son of Ahmad Khán. He was a youth of high courage. To every one whom he wished to reward, he presented as much gold and silver as his shield would hold; he never mentioned a tolcha or a dirham, and could only count as far as ten. He knew not what even one and a half was, or two and a half; and it was his custom to make over the presents which were brought to him to the officers on duty at the time. Thus, it is said, that on a Friday he was inspecting the armoury. At that time the Rájá of Bhata sent him an elephant, and some presents of merchandize: he gave all these to Shaikh Muhammad, the keeper of the armoury. ### [7.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.7.6) And so, if anything came whilst he was drinking water, the ábdár received it. During the wintertime he daily wore two outer garments, which he gave away on the second day, and was in the habit of supplying every soldier with four or five dresses every winter. Whenever he went out to the game of chaugan, or was on a journey, if he supplied any person with a horse as a beast of burden or to ride on, he never again permitted it to be fastened in his stable, but still gave the animals their daily food at his own expense. If the person sold the horse, the daily allowance was not withdrawn, although the beast was no longer in his possession. If travellers arrived at his darbar, he gave each man one tanka, and a buffalo was daily slaughtered for their use; and they received the above-mentioned provision so long as they stayed in the Khan's darbar; on leaving, 200 tankas were given to them, and then they received permission to depart. Many of the nobles of Sultan Sikandar spent vast sums of money. Dilawar Khan, the son of Mian Bhuwa, daily purchased 500 tankas worth of roses for his harem. To what extent could I not write the praises of Sikandar's chiefs? But these few instances must suffice. ### [7.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.7.7) It was a wonderful age! All enjoyed peace. In every house was pleasure and festivity. There was no thief to twist the noose round your neck. No one saw rebellion, even in his dreams. The Musalmans were dominant, the Hindus depressed, And no one knew the tribe of Mughals even by name. He was a king, who protected Islam like Alexander, And therefore he has obtained the title of Sikandar Sani. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.7) · Pramāṇa